Lexington wants to have its say on solar farm proposal before KY regulators

The city of Lexington has asked state regulators to intervene in a case involving an industrial solar farm in eastern Fayette County.

East Kentucky Power Cooperative has proposed a nearly 400-acre industrial solar facility on land that is currently zoned for agriculture.

Cooperative officials estimate that the farm will produce 40 megawatts of energy, enough to power about 4,558 homes. The site is located between Interstate 64 and Winchester Road.

The utility company doesn’t have to follow local zoning laws, but it does have to obtain permission from the Public Utilities Commission, which oversees public utilities.

Fayette County zoning regulations do not currently allow industrial or large-scale solar energy operations. A Nashville-based solar energy company has proposed an amendment to the development plan text that would allow solar energy on agricultural land with a conditional use permit. This change to the text of the development plan is ongoing.

Silicon Ranch, which operates and operates solar farms in 15 states, has an option to purchase 797 acres in the Haley Road area adjacent to the proposed East Kentucky Power Cooperative site. Because Silicon Ranch is privately owned, it must go through local zoning. He cannot apply for a zone change until the development regulations are changed.

“The city does not currently allow commercial solar installations under its zoning ordinances,” said Mayor Linda Gorton. “We need time to study and create a solar plan that serves the best interests of Fayette County.”

Gorton said the only way the city can comment on East Kentucky Power’s proposal is to intervene in the matter. She said the city is concerned about the loss of agricultural land to solar activity.

“The city has long restricted commercial and industrial uses in agricultural areas because of the importance of agriculture to our economy,” she said

Gorton said the city supports renewable energy. “However, we should have a say in determining the location of such projects in this county,” she said.

Gorton said she is also concerned that East Kentucky Power will benefit from the new solar field, but Fayette County customers may not.

“All or almost all of the energy produced would be sold on the wholesale market and would provide little energy to consumers in Lexington,” Gorton said.

It is unclear when the East Kentucky Power case will be heard by the PSC.